Karwar

"The sea beach of Karwar is certainly a fit place in which to realize that the beauty of nature is not a mirage of imagination but reflects joy of the infinite and thus draws us to lose ourselves in it." - Rabindranath Tagore

Karwar, the beach city is also the district head quarters of Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India. This is the place for those who love sand, sea and the sun. Not only does Karwar have beautiful beaches but also is prominent historical town with many pilgrim centers. This is the place where the River Kali meets the Arabian Sea.

Demography

Karwar is a small town with one side of the road the narrow coastline hugging the Arabian Sea and the other side with dark thick forest of the Western Ghats. Miraculously straddling both mountain and sea, Karwar is a nondescript little town perched in between, seemingly oblivious to its own overwhelming beauty. It is rich in flora and fauna.

There are many beautiful places in Karwar. Some of them are:

Karwar lies just 20 kms from south of Goa. There lies the Sadashivgad Fort dedicated to Lord Shiva, a Durga temple, an octagonal church (one of its kind). There is also Venkataramana temple which is about 300 years. This temple has some fine ochre paintings. The Dandeli Game park located about 157 kms is a must see for wild life adventurers.

Karavali Utsav: This is funfair celebrated at Karvar every year that last 3 to 4 days, many cultural programmes and stalls are put up during this time.

Konkan Marathas

Halakki Vokkaligas, a nomadic tribe, living at the foot hills of Western Ghats. They live in the tribal way and their headman is called “Gouda”. They decorate themselves in beads and necklaces with heavy nose rings. Another tribe is the Goulis from Maharashtra. They are mainly cowherds and shepherds. Now they have taken up agriculture. Kunabis are another backward tribe of the Uttar Kannada district living in the forest in bamboo huts built in rows sharing common wall. Many villages are in Karwar, government has scheme for the upliftment of these tribes.

Apart from these Vaishyayanis, Bhandharis, Kobarpaiks, Kharvis/harikantras, halakki Vokkaligas, Kunbis Padthis are the natives of Karwar. There are great influence of Christianity and Muslims owing to the British, Portuguese, and Arab colonial establishments in the 18th century. There are many church and ruins of Portuguese settlements. Konkani, Marathi, Kannada are the main languages spoken.

Industry

The main industry is fisheries, carried out by communities like Harikanth, Kharvis, Gabiths, and Ambigas. Agriculture is also the very prominent. Other occupations are animal husbandry, sericulture, horticulture, beekeeping and leather works.

Vintage Cannons at Karwar Port

The bay near Binaga, where the Indian Navy has its new base is called INS Kadamba as a part of Project Seabird. This is a part of the Project Seabird. The Casurina beach, now called the Kamat Bay, Agra Beach, Anjadiv island are all occupied by the Indian Navy. Kaiga, a nuclear reactor site is about 50 kms from Karwar town. Karwar and nearby Uttar Kannada have many beaches, island, waterfalls, and thick green forests.

How to Reach

By Road: 524 kms North West of Bangalore, Bangalore To Tumkur (NH4), Tumkur to Honnavar via Arsikere, Shimonga, Talguppa (NH206), Honnavar to Karwar (NH17) approximately 12 hours
By Rail: Nearest station at Shirwad, 6kms from Karwar Town, Konkan Railway route.
By Air: Goa Airport (100 kms)
By Sea: Karwar port

Also See:

• Karwar - Beach town of Uttara Kannada
• Kurumgad Beach
• Beaches in Karwar
• Devotees offer cigarettes, alcoholic drinks to Lord Muneshwara